10 Things Every Diabetic Should Take Along While Travelling

Photo credit: Vlada Karpovich

Whether you are off for a weekend holiday or go on a cross-country journey, it is difficult to predict everything you may need to take along. This can be critical if you are a diabetic. Having the tools you need on hand can be the difference between an enjoyable vacation or trip and becoming extremely ill very quickly.

In this article, we are going to help you create a “to-go” bag that you should always have prepared and on hand. It is compact and easy to carry and you always have one prepared.

Diabetic Glucose Meter

Your diabetic glucose meter or blood sugar meter is the most important tool you can have with you at all times. Your blood meter is the only way you can take a look at your blood within a couple of minutes and know if it is dangerously low or dangerously high.

This is especially important to have while traveling because there are several things that can cause your blood sugar to rise beside the food you eat. Some examples are:

 Illness.

• Stress.

• Not getting enough sleep

• Being unable to eat or take your medications at a particular time.

• Caffeine.

• Dawn phenomenon

  • This is when a diabetic has an unusual rise in their blood sugar, for no apparent reason, between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m.

• Insulin.

  • Your body may not react to the insulin as it normally does.

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Meters

When it comes to meters, you want one that is high-quality, affordable and comes with features that are important to you. Ascensia is the maker of the Contour meter line. This line of meters has many styles and there is sure to be one that is exactly what you need. They are highly accurate. Ascensia is the industry leader in personal glucose meters. They were the first company to make them. They have been working for more than 70-years to make products to improve the lives of people dealing with diabetes. When they started in the 1940s, the average lifespan of an adult with diabetes was in their 40s. Children usually died before they were 5-years old. We recommend you have two meters. One should be with you at all times. Keep it in your bag, office, or car. A good one to have is the Contour Next Blood Glucose Meter. The other meter should be kept in your “to-go bag”. If you leave for any length of time, you can grab your bag and you know you are covered.

See your doctor

Before you engage on any trip, see your doctor for a check-up. Make sure you are in good physical condition before you take on the trip. Let him know your plans and see if he advises anything special that you should take along. If you are going on a cruise, he may recommend a nausea patch so your diet will not be interrupted. If you are traveling across the world via plane, he may want you to take a mild sedative to calm you on the long trip. He may want you to take along a few sleeping tablets to keep your sleep regulated, especially if you travel internationally.

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What to take along and building your “to-go bag”

• Glucose meter

  • As established above. Keep this in your bag

• Medications, including needles, extra strips, and enough meds for your trip plus 3 days

  • Airlines may not let you take your entire prescriptions on the plane.

• Copies of your prescriptions written from your doctors

  • You can get this from your pharmacy

  • (keep one on you and one in your bag.)

• Glucose tablets or hard candy to bring your sugar up fast

  • Never be without these. (Keep extra in your bag)

• Extra shoes/socks

  • You must take extra precautions with your feet

• Copies of your wallet contents

  • You keep your identification, credit cards, insurance cards, and other important information in your wallet. Make a copy (front and back) of everything in your wallet. Keep this copy in your bag. If your wallet is lost or stolen you will have all the card numbers and phone numbers to report your cards stolen so you can get emergency replacements. You will have your insurance information so you can get to a doctor or hospital without problems. This will save you a lot of time and stress. Note: when you get to the hotel, lock your copy in the hotel safe along with airline tickets.

• Snacks

  • Always have a snack with you.

    • Keep extra snacks in your bag. If you are stuck and cannot find food, a granola bar or peanut butter crackers will help. They travel well and will give you the extra sugar you need. Also, carry a bottle of water.

• First-aid kit

  • You must always watch for blisters on your feet, cuts, and scrapes that can get infected. Keep a small first aid kit in your bag with antibiotic ointment and bandages to treat any minor injury quickly.

• Sunscreen cream or spray

  • A diabetic has sensitive skin. You must protect your skin from burns. Even on a mild day, the sun can burn you. Be sure to keep sunscreen in your bag.

• Map

  • Map out where you are going and when.

    • Include where you can get medication or medical care in the area

  • Take a copy with you and leave a copy in your bag. If you become ill and do not return on time, this will let people know where you are going. This could save your life.

You can travel with diabetes. But, you have to take extra steps to be well and responsible. You must let others know your situation if you find yourself in a situation where you can’t tell them. This is just good common sense. So go ahead and book your trips. There is nothing stopping you but you. Just go for it! You will be glad you did.